For Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

December 29, 2017Brent Furdyk

If you're looking for a unique bargain in Owen Sound, Ont., you won't do better than this historic courthouse, a 12,000-square-foot heritage building constructed before Confederation. Admittedly it's something of a fixer-upper, but for a price of $99,000, savvy investors are invited to "bring your ideas forward today!"

Real Estate

For Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

December 29, 2017 Brent Furdyk

If you're looking for a unique bargain in Owen Sound, Ont., you won't do better than this historic courthouse, a 12,000-square-foot heritage building constructed before Confederation. Admittedly it's something of a fixer-upper, but for a price of $99,000, savvy investors are invited to "bring your ideas forward today!"

Owen Sound Courthouse

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Owen Sound Courthouse

Built in 1854, the courthouse in Owen Sound, Ont., is a grand, imposing structure that — let's be honest — has seen better days. But there's a lot to offer the savvy investor looking for a fixer-upper with some downright unique features, especially at an asking price of just $99,000.

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

Owen Sound Courthouse

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Built in 1854, the courthouse in Owen Sound, Ont., is a grand, imposing structure that — let's be honest — has seen better days. But there's a lot to offer the savvy investor looking for a fixer-upper with some downright unique features, especially at an asking price of just $99,000.

Bring Your Ideas

Bring Your Ideas

"This property retains a lot of the original character associated with this type of facility including Jail cells reminiscent of 1800s incarceration," notes <a href="https://www.realtor.ca/Commercial/Business/18529771/1235-1259-3RD-AVE-E-OWEN-SOUND-Ontario-N4K2L6" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the listing</a>. "Many potential uses exist for the building and the current owner is looking for that special purchaser that can appreciate the provenance of a property of this magnitude. Bring your ideas forward today!"

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

Bring Your Ideas

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"This property retains a lot of the original character associated with this type of facility including Jail cells reminiscent of 1800s incarceration," notes <a href="https://www.realtor.ca/Commercial/Business/18529771/1235-1259-3RD-AVE-E-OWEN-SOUND-Ontario-N4K2L6" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the listing</a>. "Many potential uses exist for the building and the current owner is looking for that special purchaser that can appreciate the provenance of a property of this magnitude. Bring your ideas forward today!"

An Uncertain Future

An Uncertain Future

The city of Owen Sound has been trying to sell its old courthouse for some time; if it doesn't sell, the only option might be demolition, but that's an eventuality the city council is hoping to avoid. "I think I speak for all of us here at the table when we say we'd love to see that building being repurposed [with] all of its heritage designations intact," a city councillor said, <a href="http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2017/08/01/council-trying-to-sell-old-jail-courthouse-again" rel="noopener" target="_blank">reports the <em>Owen Sound Times</em></a>.

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

An Uncertain Future

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The city of Owen Sound has been trying to sell its old courthouse for some time; if it doesn't sell, the only option might be demolition, but that's an eventuality the city council is hoping to avoid. "I think I speak for all of us here at the table when we say we'd love to see that building being repurposed [with] all of its heritage designations intact," a city councillor said, <a href="http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2017/08/01/council-trying-to-sell-old-jail-courthouse-again" rel="noopener" target="_blank">reports the <em>Owen Sound Times</em></a>.

Previous Plans

Previous Plans

In 2016, Southbridge Care Homes abandoned its plans to transform the building into a retirement care home after buying the property for the low, low bargain price of $10. As a result, the historic courthouse is now up for grabs.

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

Previous Plans

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In 2016, Southbridge Care Homes abandoned its plans to transform the building into a retirement care home after buying the property for the low, low bargain price of $10. As a result, the historic courthouse is now up for grabs.

Space Galore

Space Galore

With 12,000 square feet of interior space, the buyer will find a lot of space, boasting high ceilings, original moldings and more features you'd expect from a historic building constructed before Confederation.

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

Space Galore

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With 12,000 square feet of interior space, the buyer will find a lot of space, boasting high ceilings, original moldings and more features you'd expect from a historic building constructed before Confederation.

Renovation Opportunity

Renovation Opportunity

Not surprisingly, there's a lot of work to be done, and the property's realtor Dave Moyer, says it's way beyond a DIY job. As <a href="https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/12/12/jailhouse-charm-at-a-bargain-basement-price.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">he told the <em>Toronto Star</em></a>, renovations "would have to be done over a reasonable time frame. We don’t want someone living in a corner of the building and renovating it over 20 years.”

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

Renovation Opportunity

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Not surprisingly, there's a lot of work to be done, and the property's realtor Dave Moyer, says it's way beyond a DIY job. As <a href="https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/12/12/jailhouse-charm-at-a-bargain-basement-price.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">he told the <em>Toronto Star</em></a>, renovations "would have to be done over a reasonable time frame. We don’t want someone living in a corner of the building and renovating it over 20 years.”

Courtroom

Courtroom

The centrepiece of the courthouse is the courtroom, which still includes the judge's bench and original wood-and-wrought iron chairs. Also featured in this space are huge cathedral-style windows, high ceilings and wide-plank hardwood floors.

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

Courtroom

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The centrepiece of the courthouse is the courtroom, which still includes the judge's bench and original wood-and-wrought iron chairs. Also featured in this space are huge cathedral-style windows, high ceilings and wide-plank hardwood floors.

A Special Buyer

A Special Buyer

“We are looking for that special buyer that’s got a little bit of philanthropy in their blood,” added realtor Dave Moyer said. “I would love to see some form of corporate office come into Owen Sound and take this property and turn it into a world-class headquarters.”

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

A Special Buyer

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“We are looking for that special buyer that’s got a little bit of philanthropy in their blood,” added realtor Dave Moyer said. “I would love to see some form of corporate office come into Owen Sound and take this property and turn it into a world-class headquarters.”

Roof Reno

Roof Reno

Back in the 1980s, the building was used as space for artists, musicians and performers; at that time, approximately $100,000 was spent to stabilize the roof and other parts of the building under the Ontario Heritage Act. Although, judging by the looks of things, some additional roof work may be required.

Real EstateFor Under $100K, You Can Own a Historic 12,000-Square-Foot Courthouse — with a Private Jail

Roof Reno

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Back in the 1980s, the building was used as space for artists, musicians and performers; at that time, approximately $100,000 was spent to stabilize the roof and other parts of the building under the Ontario Heritage Act. Although, judging by the looks of things, some additional roof work may be required.